Community Resources

 

Eastside Commune: Community Newsletter

 

COVID-19 Resources from Kids Hope Alliance

Childcare:

  • If you or someone you know is in search of emergency childcare services, call the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County at (904) 208-2040 to find a provider who is still open and has available space. Or you can visit their website here.

  • The YMCA is providing limited options for first responders’ childcare. They also are offering a SCHOOL’S OUT CAMP, with very limited seating, for healthy children, at the following YMCA locations: Dye Clay Family YMCA, Barco Newton YMCA, Ponte Vedra YMCA, duPont YMCA Youth Development Campus, YMCA Yulee Kids Campus, Flagler Center YMCA, YMCA at Flagler Health+ Village. For more details or to enroll online visit FCYMCA.org

  • Hope Haven is opening its doors to care for children with special needs, ages 3 to 5, whose parent or caregiver is considered “essential personnel.” Care will begin Monday, March 30 and will extend Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., until further notice. Parents are asked to contribute any amount feasible, but not required (weekly rate is $425). Please email or call Linnie Harrington linnieh@hope-haven.org or (904) 346-5100 ext. 303, for details and to sign up.

Food:

  • DCPS is handing out free, “Grab and Go” sack lunches and snacks at all DCPS schools from 11 am until 1 pm, Monday through Friday. You must have a child present in order to be given a lunch, but you do not have to go to your child’s specific school. Meals are also being delivered to select neighborhood bus stops. Find the bus routes here: Can’t make it a school to pick up a lunch? Meals are also being delivered to select neighborhood bus stops along with elementary instructional packets! Find bus routes here: https://bit.ly/2Jb7sFH

  • Feeding Northeast Florida is providing agencies with “Family Meal Kits” that contain shelf-stable food items, produce, and meat when available. Click here to see the full list of participating agencies.

  • FoodFinder is a national website that shows low-income families when and where to get free food from their closest pantry. There is also a mobile app, search for “Food Finder- Fighting Hunger.”

  • Text FLKIDSMEALS to 211-211 to find the closest participating Summer BreakSpot location with free meals available. Residents can also call 2-1-1 to speak with a live operator for additional information.

Internet:

  • For students who may need internet access, Comcast is offering short-term free internet access for families that qualify. Find more details here.

  • Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.

  • ATT is offering families 2 months of free service and $10 a month for eligible families. For more details call 866-861-6075 or visit att.com

Health Insurance:

If you are laid off due to business decisions related to the COVID 19, current ACA rules provide a sixty-day eligibility window for you and your family, called a Special Enrollment Period, to sign up for healthcare coverage available in your county.  The Health Planning Council Navigators can help consumers review the basics of health insurance, assist with the online application and explain how federal subsidies for premiums and cost sharing work. HPC Federally certified Navigators provide telephonic or virtual assistance and have no financial stake in the plans consumers choose.

To schedule an appointment with a Navigator call 877-813-9115 or go online to www.coveringFlorida.org

Mental Health:

  • Florida Blue and New Directions Behavioral Health have teamed up to offer a hotline to help Floridians deal with their anxiety over the COVID-19 crisis. Specially trained behavioral health counselors will answer the phone 24-hours a day and offer assistance in both English and Spanish. To receive assistance, please call 833-848-1762.

  • Full Service Schools will continue to provide mental health therapists to DCPS students. The therapists are available via telehealth. To access services either email the school social worker directly or email mentalhealthpsa@duvalschools.org.

  • Get support regarding your anxiety or stress by speaking to a trained counselor at SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or by texting TalkWithUS 66746.

  • The Centers for Disease Control provides helpful information regarding mental health and coping during a disaster, including tips to reduce stress. Click here to read.

  • The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone in Jacksonville: Mental health services via televideo or telephone to post-9/11 veterans, their families, and active duty families.  The clinic telephone number – (904) 431-3500 – will be available during business hours, as before, and veterans, military families and outside organizations can continue to call directly to the clinic for an appointment.

  • Northwest Behavioral Health: Mental health outpatient counseling, day treatment, and case management for children and adults. Please call (904) 781-0600 or (904) 781-7797.

Abuse/Domestic Violence Help:

  • Hubbard House operates a 24/7 emergency shelter, Hotline, and Textline, in addition to outreach services. The hotline is 904-354-3114, and the Textline is 904-210-3698. Those numbers are answered around-the-clock by trained advocates who can provide crisis management and safety planning for survivors of domestic violence, among other services. Find more info about resources at www.hubbardhouse.org.

Electric/Water

Senior Citizens:

  • Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to seniors. Click here to find services in your area.

  • The Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP) is available to assist seniors who are over 60 years old, and make less than 150 percent of the poverty level, catch up on their energy bills and prevent service disconnection. Seniors can receive benefits of up to $600 twice per year, which are paid directly to their energy provider. To apply for benefits, seniors, or persons who know seniors needing assistance, should call (904) 630-CITY and request EHEAP assistance.

  • ElderSource: Seniors in need of assistance or with questions can call the ElderSource Helpline at (904) 391-6699 or (888) 242-4464. For more information, individuals can also visit the ElderSource website.

  • Aging True is a non-profit, charitable organization that provides a spectrum of services to seniors, including in home mental health care, therapy, and mobile health assessments. Call 904-807-7219 for information about their services, or click here visit their website.

  • AARP has launched a website for AARP Mutual Aid Groups, which are informal groups of volunteers that band together to find effective ways to support those people most in need who live in their local community. Mutual aid can include picking up groceries, providing financial assistance, or lending emotional support to your neighbors. Learn more by visiting AARP’s website.

Struggling Small Business Owners:

Unemployment:

Additional Resources:

  • 2-1-1 is a FREE service provided by United Way that connects area residents to critical health and social service resources when they need help. From help with a household bill, food assistance, or counseling for suicide prevention, United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Just dial 211.

  • MyJax is your connection to city services and information. Submit a request for service, check the status of your request or find answers to city related questions by calling the 630-City Help Line at (904) 630-2489 or by visiting MyJax Online.